Do you have your own publication log? Sure, you can find magazine databases all over the Internet, but you don’t write for all of those magazines, ezines and newsletters, do you? You pick and choose those that are appropriate for the articles/stories you write. That’s why I recommend that you keep your own publication log.
Whether you write articles or stories for money or your primary focus is promoting your book through article/story-writing, you’ve probably found specific magazines, ezines and websites that use the type of material you write—that have been relatively easy to work with, etc. Don’t lose contact with them. When you locate or write for a promising publication log the magazine title, editor’s name, contact info, type of articles/stories they publish and other pertinent information in your computer or handwritten log.
Spend a day or so seeking out appropriate publications and add them, as well. When you have submitted something, note in your log any particulars related to the transaction—“Long waits between responses.” “Prefers receiving material via snail mail.” “Uses 500-word pieces.”
Now look at the time you’ve saved yourself. When you next want to submit an article related to the theme of your book, in order to build on your credibility or simply to establish your platform as a freelance article/fiction writer, you can take a quick look in your log to locate the right publication.
I keep and maintain a log of writing-related publications. It’s a really effortless task now to locate the best outlet for a particular piece I’ve written. Sometimes I pick the publication and write the article for them. This log certainly makes life easier for me. And I recommend that you establish one pertinent to the types of articles/fiction you write.
But don’t get too comfortable with your log. Always be on the lookout for new and obscure markets for your work. Continually add new ones. And don’t forget to update the old ones from time to time. Things change in editorial offices and you want to be the first to know so you are always addressing the right editor, suggesting the most pertinent topics, etc.